How to Get to Coachella and Other Summer Music Festivals With Starpoints
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
As the weather starts to heat up, music festival season is approaching. That means if you plan on going to one of the big festivals, it's time to start preparing for what will most likely be an epic weekend. Festivals can get expensive with tickets, flights, hotels, rental cars and more to cover. Points can take the sting out of a flight or hotel stay, but not necessarily the cost of the festival ticket itself. Luckily, credit cards can give you special access to events and ticket packages, and in many cases you can pay in points.
SPG Moments is known for lining up some pretty awesome event packages. TPG used his Starpoints to take his dad to a New York Knicks game in VIP style, and you can bid on exclusive access to concerts, private dinners and other sporting events as well. This year SPG has teamed up with three festivals across the country to create exclusive Moments packages, all which can be bid on/purchased with Starpoints. Don't delay, as many of the packages sell out quickly!
If you're in need of some more Starpoints, you can sign up for the Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card from American Express, which is currently offering a sign-up bonus of 25,000 after you spend $3,000 in purchases within the first three months.
Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival
What: Coachella is one of the most well-known music festivals in the country, if not the world. It's had epic moments like Daft Punk's 2006 legendary headlining show to the Tupac hologram in 2012. It's even become so popular that it's been expanded to two weekends. General-admission tickets are already sold out, so if you were to buy tickets now, it would be on the secondary market where prices are much higher than face value. This could be a great use of SPG points since tickets are expensive, and each package comes with two tickets to the festival.
SPG has created some pretty great experiences that include VIP Access, behind-the-scenes tour or tickets bundled with a hotel stay at The Westin Mission Hills. Tip: Packages for weekend two are currently going for much less than weekend one packages.
When: April 14 - 16 & April 21 - 23, 2017
Where: Indio, California
Packages: Access Coachella with the Best Views of the Stage and a Behind-the-Scenes Tour: Weekend One
Access Coachella with the Best Views of the Stage and Dinner in the VIP Rose Garden: Weekend One
Access Coachella with VIP Festival Passes and a Stay at The Westin Mission Hills: Weekend One
Access Coachella with VIP Festival Passes and Hospitality-Tent Access: Weekend One
Access Coachella with the Best Views of the Stage: Weekend One
*Weekend two packages mirror the above in terms of what they include.
Cost: The current lowest bid is 14,000 Starpoints (for a weekend two package)
Bidding Ends: March 10, 2017
New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
What: The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival started in 1970 and has become a cultural symbol celebrating all that is great about the city's music, food and culture. The festival has 12 stages, boatloads to eat and areas displaying Louisiana arts and crafts. This year's headliners include Maroon 5, Stevie Wonder and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.
These bundles include varying tiers of festival VIP status, with features such as the opportunity to meet "highly acclaimed local artists" and a stay at the Sheraton New Orleans. Each package includes two tickets to the festival. Tip: Weekend two is four days long, so you'll get more out of your points if you decide to go then.
When: April 28 - May 7, 2017
Where: New Orleans
Packages: Grand Marshal VIP Access to the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival: Weekend One
Access the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival with a Behind-the-Scenes Tour: Weekend One
Access the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival with an Artist Meet-and-Greet: Weekend One
Experience the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival as a Big Chief: Weekend One
*Weekend two packages mirror the above in terms of what they include.
Cost: The current lowest bid is 7,000 Starpoints
Bidding Ends: March 13, 2017
Governors Ball Music Festival
What: With recent headliners like Kanye West and The Strokes, Governors Ball has become one of New York City's top music festivals. Chance the Rapper, Phoenix and Tool will grace the main stage this year, with a slew of other artists from across genres to fill up the schedule. SPG Moments created two packages for Governors Ball, each including two tickets to the three-day festival with access to VIP viewing areas, lounges and more or entry to backstage lounges with complimentary drinks throughout the festival.
When: June 2 - 4, 2017
Where: New York City
Packages: Score VIP access to the Governors Ball Music Festival in New York City
Rock the Governors Ball Music Festival with tickets and backstage lounge access
Cost: The current lowest bid is 28,000 Starpoints
Bidding Ends: March 15 or 16, 2017 (depending on the package)
Have you ever redeemed points for a music festival package?
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.